Thursday, 29 October 2015

Well I've just about recovered, unpacked and tidied up the mess I had left behind me in the studio after last week's Hochanda tv one day special and all the prep beforehand. :)I had planned to start posting on WOYWW before the show (as I have realised that accountability is good thing when it comes to making sure I post each week) but sadly there wasn't enough time. So I've decided to post my photos from the last two Wednesdays anyway. Here's what my desk looked like the Wednesday before the show...

As you can see I was busy making new samples for the show whilst watching Hochanda tv online... (Efco's Paris papp art is in the middle of being enamelled here).And here's what it looked like the Wednesday after the show before I had a chance to tidy up (lol)...

All the last minute panic stations stuff left out where I had suddenly realised I'd forgotten to make some new jewellery to wear on the show and the mdf JOY that I ran out of time to enamel. :(However I had a great time and everyone at the studios was really welcoming. The shows did well too as we sold out of the one day special and had to beg Germany for some more stock to last out the day!Here's one of the new samples I created for the show...

1. Lightly sand the collage blank to help key the Efcolor enamel. Wipe any grit from the surface.2. Cover the blank with a layer of black powder and heat until it has melted.3. If necessary apply another layer of black powder and reheat to achieve a smooth glossy surface.

4. When cool, lay the stencil over the top (secure with a piece of masking tape if needed) and use a sponge to apply a thin layer of iridescent acrylic over the design. Remove the stencil and leave to dry.5. Cover with a thin layer of transparent powder before placing the blank back on the stove to heat.

6. As the powder melts you will be able to see the design again. Whilst still on the stove use tweezers to drop a crystal on the painted butterfly wing.7. When the powder has completely melted and gone glossy remove the blank from the stove.8. When cool, stick a sentiment on top of the enamel.9. Take a 160 x 80 mm piece of card and fold it in two. Fold one half back on itself.10. Use double-sided tape to stick the top half of the blank to the folded front of the card.

Saturday, 10 October 2015

Oh boy, am I overdue a blog post or what!?! It's been 3 months since my last one! Wow, where has the summer gone?! It will be Halloween before you know it! So in honour of the 31st October here's a project to create a spooky Glow-in-the-Dark Trick or Treat Sweetie Jar...

Materials:

Glow-in-the-Dark Cernit

Cernit Roller

Cernit Flexible Blade

Cernit Tools

Efco Roller Set

Glass Jar

Ceramic Tile for baking

Oven & Oven Thermometer

Optional: Ghost Template & Scissors

Step 1. Print out the template and cut out the ghosts. Enlarge or reduce it as necessary. Alternatively, you can draw your own ghosts on a piece of paper or even cut your ghosts out freehand.

Step 2. Take 2-3 strips of Glow-in-the-Dark Cernit and condition it. You can use a roller to do this to make it easier on your hands.

Step 3. Roll out the conditioned clay on a tile using the thicker pair of depth guides from the Efco Roller Set.

Step 4. Lay one of the ghost templates on top of the clay sheet and use the flexible blade to cut it out.

Step 5. Use the small spatula tool to remove the clay for the eyes and mouth.

Step 6. Remove the template and clean up any edges with the Cernit tools as necessary.

Step 7. Carefully lift the ghost off the tile so as not to distort it too much.

Step 8. Lay the ghost on the glass jar, gently pressing it to adhere it.

Step 9. Use the Cernit tools to smooth and clean the edges as necessary.

Step 10. Cut out more ghosts, one at a time, adding them to the jar, making sure they all connect at various points.

Step 11. When you have a connected ring of ghosts around your jar you can bake it according to the manufacturer's instructions.(Don't forget to pre-heat your oven & always use an oven thermometer.)And this is what the jar looks like when the lights go out...

About Me

I'm a firm believer, especially with today's busy lifestyles, in the
therapeutic effect of being creative. I know that everyone has the
ability to be creative in some form or other, it's just a question of
having the confidence to have a go... as Edwin Land said "An essential
aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail".
Hopefully this blog will inspire others to find their creativity!